North Dakota Mandates Public Comment Periods for All Board Meetings
BISMARCK, ND — Starting August 1, every public board meeting in North Dakota will be required to include a designated public comment period. This new regulation stems from Senate Bill 2180, which Governor Kelly Armstrong signed into law on April 30.
The legislation mandates local subdivisions, including school, park, and water resource districts, to provide meeting attendees the opportunity to voice their opinions. While boards can limit the comment period based on duration or individual speaker time, topics must be limited to current or previous meeting agendas.
Sen. Jose Castaneda, R-Minot, who chaired the bill’s conference committee, emphasized the importance of this regulation, stating, “If someone misses a meeting, they should be able to go to the next meeting and have their concerns heard.” The move addresses prior concerns that public entities were inadequately allowing feedback, with some boards restricting comments to only agenda items.
Testimonies supporting the bill highlighted the need for taxpayer input. Karen Krenz from Williston argued, “When public input is limited, decisions may not fully reflect the needs and priorities of the community.”
The law also stipulates that boards must develop their policies around public comments, ensuring they are relevant, orderly, and free from abusive or unlawful expressions. While some earlier versions of the bill proposed limited comment opportunities, the final version creates a balance that provides for public engagement while maintaining meeting decorum.
Sen. Chuck Walen, R-New Town, previously a school board member, expressed confidence in the bill’s framework, acknowledging its necessity to avoid overly complex discussions. This legislation represents a significant step toward fostering greater public engagement in local governance across North Dakota.
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